CM Stalin urges Centre to expedite FMD vaccine supply to Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday urged Centre to expedite supply of foot and mouth disease (FMD) vaccine to State to avert outbreak of FMD among cattle and consequent ecomic hardship to farmers.

Expressing concern over staggered supply of vaccine to State, Chief Minister sought immediate intervention of Union Minister of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries Parshottam Rupala to speed up supply.

"I would like to bring to your tice that re is an urgent requirement for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine in Tamil Nu. As you are aware, timely availability of vaccines is essential to maintain herd immunity among susceptible cattle population and to prevent occurrence of FMD and subsequent ecomic loss to farmers," Stalin said in a letter dressed to Rupala, a copy of which was me available to media here.

He said State vaccinated eligible cattle at a six-month interval during 2011-2019. vaccines catered to approximately 94 lakh he of cattle.

Under National Animal Disease Control Programme (NCP) for FMD rolled out in February 2020, 87.03 lakh he of cattle got vaccinated.

"Even during previous round of vaccination in September 2021, supply of vaccine doses was staggered. Tamil Nu could complete vaccination only in six months due to this staggered supply, which is t in line with FMD vaccination protocol," Chief Minister said.

next round of vaccination in Tamil Nu was due in September 2022, but it could t be done for want of supplies.

" State has constantly been requesting Centre to supply 90 lakh vaccines in a single instalment since June 2022 and we are still waiting to receive m. refore, I request your intervention to expedite supply of FMD vaccine to Tamil Nu so that outbreak of FMD and consequent ecomic hardship to farmers can be averted," he said in letter.